Ghost: Popestar 12" EP Grey Smoke Vinyl

Why you'll love it

This 12-inch EP comes on limited grey smoke vinyl. Popestar entered Billboard's Top Rock Albums chart at No. 1, the first EP ever to top it, and "Square Hammer" went to No. 1 at US active rock radio.

This edition

12" EP
Grey smoke vinyl
Limited edition
Stereo mix

About the album

Most bands put out an EP to tide fans over. Ghost put one out and it outsold everything else on the rock chart that week, 21,000 copies in its first seven days. Fresh off a Grammy for the single Cirice, Tobias Forge and his Nameless Ghouls teamed up with producer and mixer Tom Dalgety for one new original and four very Ghost-shaped covers.

"Square Hammer" is the main event, a big, organ-led anthem that became one of the band's signature songs and a live staple. The covers are a lovely mixed bag: an Echo & the Bunnymen deep cut, Simian Mobile Disco's "I Believe" turned into a widescreen ballad, Eurythmics' "Missionary Man" given a stomping rock makeover, and "Bible" by Swedish band Imperiet closing things on a grand, hymn-like note. Dalgety gives everything a big, glossy arena sheen, so the covers sit beside "Square Hammer" as if Forge had written them himself.

Ghost have since gone on to top the Billboard 200 with Skeletá, but Popestar is where America first really leaned in. Five songs in robes and greasepaint, and still somehow the most wholesome thing on the metal shelf.

Also at Kops: more Ghost on vinyl · browse Metal